Vibratory bar feeder

ABSTRACT

A vibratory bar feeder has a magazine storing a supply of bars and a device for dropping the bars one at a time from the magazine into a trough below the magazine and extending beyond the magazine toward a bar-working machine. The inside of the trough is covered with a pile material having flexible filaments inclined from the vertical toward the bar-working machine, the trough is vibrated in a generally reciprocal motion in the general direction of the inclination of the filaments which are sufficiently resilient to flex under the bars during upward movement of the trough to translate the vibratory motion into feeding speed and force moving the bars toward the bar-working machine.

United States Patent Mead May 13, 1975 VIBRATORY BAR FEEDER Primary E.\'aminerEvon C. Blunk Assistant E.raminerDouglas D. Watts t l f. [75] lm emor Denms E Mead Cupemno a Attorney, Agent, or FlrmStonebraker, Shepard & [73] Assignee: Lipe Rollway Corporation. Stephens Syracuse, NY.

[22] Filed: Nov. 16. i973 [57] ABSTRACT 2 App] N 41 3 0 A vibratory bar feeder has a magazine storing a supply of bars and a device for dropping the bars one at a time from the magazine into a trough below the maga- [52] US. Cl. 198/26; 198/220 BA; 221/12 Zine and extending beyond the magazine toward a [5 i] hit- B65g working machine. The inside of the trough is covered [58] new of Search P"? with a pile material having flexible filaments inclined 46/1 13 from the vertical toward the bar-working machine. the trough is vibrated in a generally reciprocal motion in [56] References cued the general direction of the inclination of the filaments UNITED STATES PATENTS which are sufficiently resilient to flex under the bars 1,855.04? 4/1932 Giles 198/26 during upward movement of the trough to translate 194L043 l2/l933 Meyer... the vibratory motion into feeding speed and force 2.880.844 /1 vogelim moving the bars toward the bar-working machine. 1789,71] 2/1974 Mead 198/220 BA 8 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENIED HAY I 3 i975 SHEET 2 OF 3 FIG. 2

VIBRATORY BAR FEEDER THE INVENTIVE IMPROVEMENT Many bar-working machines such as thread rollers, screw machines, cut-off machines, centerless grinders, etc. require bar feeders for supplying bars continuously for throughput through the bar-working machine, and many previous machines have been suggested for this. The invention involves recognition of a simpler, more economical, and advantageous bar feeder for feeding a SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The inventive vibratory bar feeder includes a magazine for storing a plurality of bars and means for dropping the bars one at a time from the magazine. A trough below the magazine receives bars dropped from the magazine and extends beyond the magazine toward the bar-working machine. The inside of the trough is covered with a pile material having flexible filaments uniformly inclined by about 25 from the vertical toward the bar-working machine along the length of the trough, and the filaments have uniform length and thickness and a sufficient density so that only the tips of the filaments support the bars for feeding. Vibrator means vibrates the trough in a generally reciprocal motion in the general direction of the inclination of the filaments, and the filaments are sufficiently resilient to flex under the bars during upward movement of the trough in the vibratory motion so the filaments translate vibratory motion of the trough into feeding speed and force moving the bars toward the bar-working machine. Switch means senses the movement of one of the bars out from under the magazine, and the bardropping means operates in response to the sensing switch.

DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partially cut-away, front elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the inventive vibratory bar feeder;

FIG. 2 is a partially cut-away, plan view of the feeder of FIG. I; and

FIG. 3 is a partially cut-away, end elevational view of the feeder of FIGS. 1 and 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Feeder has a base 11 supported on adjustable legs 12 and carrying a trough 13 extending outward from base 11 toward a bar-working machine 16. Trough 13 has a cylindrical bottom and an open top as best shown in FIG. 3, and is lined with a pile material 14 having flexible filaments l5 inclined toward bar-working machine l6. Filaments 15 preferably line the interior of trough l3 and are uniformly inclined by about 5 25 from a vertical transverse plane toward bar-working machine 16 along the full length of trough 13. The preferred angle of inclination of filaments 15 from a vertical transverse plane through trough I3 is about 10 toward bar-working machine 16.

A pair of vibrators 17 are supported on soft rubber mounts 18 on base 11 and vibrate spring connectors 19 in a generally reciprocal motion as shown by the arrows. Springs 19 are connected to the bottom of trough 13 to transmit the vibration to trough 13, and the preferred angle of vibration of trough 13 is at about 0 20 above the horizontal. Circular, orbital, and other vibratory motions can be applied to trough l3, and any such vibratory motion preferably has a substantial component of motion in the general direction of the inclination of filaments 15. A

A bar 25 placed in trough 13 is supported on the tips of filaments 15 of pile material 14, and filaments 15 are sufficiently resilient to flex under the bars 25 during upward movement of the trough in each cycle of vibratory motion so that the filaments translate the vibratory motion of the trough into feeding speed and force to move the bars toward bar-working machine 16. As trough 13 moves upward in the vibration cycle, filaments l5 flex slightly toward their direction of inclination to advance a bar toward bar-working machine 16.

As best shown in FIG. 2, pile material 14 can be arranged in trough 13 along a helical path having an acute angle to the axial direction of movement of bars along trough 13. Such a helical path is illustrated by arrows in FIG. 2 and can be inclined on either side of the axis of trough 13. The filaments 15 of pile material 14 then not only incline toward bar-working machine 16 but also incline at an acute angle to the axial movement of bars 25 along trough l3. Pile material 14 then rotates a bar 25 as it advances along trough 13, depending on the direction of inclination of the helical path of pile material 14. The inclination of filaments l5 relative to the axis of trough 13 imparts a rotational motion to bars 25 as well as advancing bars toward barworking machine 16. Such rotation of bars is preferred for some bar-working machines such as centerless grinders to ensure that the bar rolls freely on its axis as it proceeds through the bar-working machine.

Feeder 10 includes a magazine 20 for storing a supply of bars 25 and dropping bars successively into trough 13 for a constant succession of bars moving toward barworking machine 16. Magazine 20 includes inclined racks 21 and bar end guides 22 for supporting a plurality of bars 25 inclined downward toward trough 13. Support rack 21 and end guide 22 for the right side of magazine 20 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are carried on a frame 23 movable along wear plates 24 under control of guide plates 26 for adjustment anywhere between the solid-line position and broken-line position shown in FIG. 1 and securable in any desired position by set screw 39 for accommodating different lengths of bars. A stop 27 near each end guide 22 provides an abutment stopping the lowermost of a plurality of bars 25, and the lowermost bar 25 is pushed up over stop 27 to roll downward into trough 13 when desired. Control plates 28 are adjustably mounted over rack 21 to allow only one bar at a time to be pushed up over stops 27, and control plates 28 are invertible and adjustable both vertically and horizontally to accommodate different-sized bars 25.

The bar-dropping mechanism for pushing the lowermost bar 25 up over stops 27 is operated by an air cylinder 29 reciprocally moving a lever 30 to rock a shaft 31. A pair of brackets 32 are secured to shaft 31 by set screws 33, and one of the brackets 32 is adjustable axially along shaft 31 with the adjustable rack 21 and end guide 22. Brackets 32 engage the L-shaped ends 34 of pins 35 slidably mounted in blocks 36 adjacent stops 27. Then each time air cylinder 29 actuates, it rotates shaft 31 and brackets 32 to move pins 35 axially up through blocks 36 to lift the lowermost bar 25 up over stops 27 so bar 25 can roll down into trough 13. Control plate 28 allows only the lowermost bar to be lifted over stops 27 by pins 35. Then air cylinder 29 retracts to pull pins 35 back down to the position illustrated in FIG. 31 to allow another bar 25 to roll against stop 27 for successive dropping into trough 13.

The control system for magazine 20 includes a switch 37 sensing the presence of a bar in trough 13 adjacent magazine 20, and a switch 38 sensing the presence of a bar 25 against stops 27. Switch 38 disables air cylinder 29 and the bar-dropping mechanism unless a bar 25 is present against stops 27, and switch 37 operates air cylinder 29 to raise and lower pins 35. Beginning with the dropping of a bar 25 in trough 13, and with pins 35 elevated from having dropped a bar 25, the dropped bar immediately moves toward bar-working machine 16, and the leading end of bar25 engages switch 37 extending into trough 13. This operates switch 37 to retract air cylinder 29 and lower pins 35 to receive a new bar 25 against stops 27. When the trailing end of a bar 25 passes under switch 37, it operates switch 37 to actuate air cylinder 29 to elevate pins 35 and drop another bar 25. If no bar is present against stops 27, such actuation of air cylinder 29 is disabled by switch 38. Otherwise, the cycle repeats and bars 25 are successively dropped behind one another into trough 13 for a steady flow toward bar-working machine 16.

Feeder is especially safe in having very few moving parts and no moving parts that can injure a workman. It is also quiet in that its vibrators 17 produce a hum, and magazine makes a little sound as each bar is dropped, but otherwise the bars fall quietly onto pile material 14 and move silently along material 14 to barworking machine 16. Pile material 14 is impervious to dirt or oil which merely settles down between filaments l5, and pile material 14 does not mar or damage a bar 25. Cylindrical, hex, and other bar shapes can be fed by feeder 10, and any bar is moved along with sufficient speed and force to supply constant bar feed pressure to bar-working machine 16. Feeder 10 is adaptable to many bar-working machines, and can feed many different lengths of bars. It is also relatively simple and economical compared to other bar feeders.

Persons wishing to practice the invention should remember that other embodiments and variations can be adapted to particular circumstances. Even though one point of view is necessarily chosen in describing and defining the invention, this should not inhibit broader or related embodiments going beyond the semantic orientation of this application but falling within the spirit of the invention. For example, those skilled in the art will understand the various trough shapes, pile linings, magazines, bar-dropping devices, and other features of the inventive bar feeder that can be adapted to particular circumstances.

I claim:

1. A vibratory bar feeder for feeding bars axially to a bar working machine, said vibratory bar feeder comprising:

a. a magazine for storing a plurality of said bars;

b. means for dropping said bars one at a time from said magazine;

c. a trough below said magazine for receiving said bars dropped from said magazine:

d. said trough having a cylindrical bottom and extending beyond said magazine toward said bar working machine;

e. the inside of said trough being covered with a pile material having flexible filaments uniformly inclined by about 5 25 from a vertical transverse plane toward said bar working machine along the length of said trough;

f. said filaments having uniform length and thickness and a sufficient density so that only the tips of said filaments support said bars for feeding;

g. means for vibrating said trough in a generally reciprocal motion in the general direction of the inclination of said filaments;

h. said filaments being sufficiently resilient to flex under said bars during upward movement of said trough in said vibratory motion so said filaments translate said vibratory motion of said trough into feeding speed and force moving said bars toward said bar-working machine;

. means for sensing the movement of one of said bars out from under said magazine; and j. means for operating said bar-dropping means in response to said sensing means. 2. The feeder of claim 1 including means for adjusting the width of said magazine to accommodate different axial lengths of said bars.

3. The feeder of claim 1 wherein said filaments are inclined at an acute angle to the axial movement of said bars toward said bar working machine to turn said bars on the axes of said bars as said bars advance toward said bar working machine.

4. The feeder of claim 1 wherein said sensing means includes a switch arranged for sensing the movement of the trailing end of one of said bars out from under said magazine.

5. The feeder of claim 1 wherein said vibrating means reciprocates said trough at about 0 20 above the horizontal, and said filaments are inclined by about l0 20 from said transverse plane toward said bar working machine.

6. The feeder of claim 1 including means for sensing the presence of a bar positioned for dropping by said bar-dropping means, said bar sensing means being arranged so that the lack of one of said bars positioned for dropping effectively disables said bar-dropping means.

7. The feeder of claim 1 wherein said bar-movement sensing means is operable upon sensing the movement of the leading end of one of said bars out from under said magazine for enabling'said bar-dropping means and is arranged for operating said bar-dropping means upon sensing the movement of the trailing end'of one of said bars out from under said magazine.

8. The feeder of claim 7 including means for sensing the presence of a bar positioned for dropping by said bar-dropping means, said bar sensing means being arranged so that the lack of one of said bars positioned for dropping effectively disables said bar-dropping means. 

1. A vibratory bar feeder for feeding bars axially to a bar working machine, said vibratory bar feeder comprising: a. a magazine for storing a plurality of said bars; b. means for dropping said bars one at a time from said magazine; c. a trough below said magazine for receiving said bars dropped from said magazine: d. said trough having a cylindrical bottom and extending beyond said magazine toward said bar working machine; e. the inside of said trough being covered with a pile material having flexible filaments uniformly inclined by about 5* - 25* from a vertical transverse plane toward said bar working machine along the length of said trough; f. said filaments having uniform length and thickness and a sufficient density so that only the tips of said filaments support said bars for feeding; g. means for vibrating said trough in a generally reciprocal motion in the general direction of the inclination of saiD filaments; h. said filaments being sufficiently resilient to flex under said bars during upward movement of said trough in said vibratory motion so said filaments translate said vibratory motion of said trough into feeding speed and force moving said bars toward said bar-working machine; i. means for sensing the movement of one of said bars out from under said magazine; and j. means for operating said bar-dropping means in response to said sensing means.
 2. The feeder of claim 1 including means for adjusting the width of said magazine to accommodate different axial lengths of said bars.
 3. The feeder of claim 1 wherein said filaments are inclined at an acute angle to the axial movement of said bars toward said bar working machine to turn said bars on the axes of said bars as said bars advance toward said bar working machine.
 4. The feeder of claim 1 wherein said sensing means includes a switch arranged for sensing the movement of the trailing end of one of said bars out from under said magazine.
 5. The feeder of claim 1 wherein said vibrating means reciprocates said trough at about 0* - 20* above the horizontal, and said filaments are inclined by about 10* - 20* from said transverse plane toward said bar working machine.
 6. The feeder of claim 1 including means for sensing the presence of a bar positioned for dropping by said bar-dropping means, said bar sensing means being arranged so that the lack of one of said bars positioned for dropping effectively disables said bar-dropping means.
 7. The feeder of claim 1 wherein said bar-movement sensing means is operable upon sensing the movement of the leading end of one of said bars out from under said magazine for enabling said bar-dropping means and is arranged for operating said bar-dropping means upon sensing the movement of the trailing end of one of said bars out from under said magazine.
 8. The feeder of claim 7 including means for sensing the presence of a bar positioned for dropping by said bar-dropping means, said bar sensing means being arranged so that the lack of one of said bars positioned for dropping effectively disables said bar-dropping means. 